In general, only 13.2 percent of baby boomers claim to be in
"excellent" health, compared to 32 percent of their parents'
generation. The authors
write:

Despite their longer life expectancy over previous generations,
US baby boomers have higher rates of chronic disease, more
disability and lower self-rated health than members of the
previous generation at the same age.

Baby boomers are the adults born between 1946 and 1964, about 78
million Americans — they make up about 26 percent of the
population. Their generation was titled the boomers because they
were born after the second world war, when there was a huge
number of babies born.

The new study analyzed data from the National Health and
Nutrition Examination Surveys. They looked at two sets of people:
Baby boomers who participated in the survey between 2007 to 2010,
when they were between 46 and 64, and a slightly older
generation, who were between 46 and 64 during the years of 1988
to 1994.

Here's the results, from the article:

This
chart shows the baby boomer's health in relation to the health of
their parents' generation.King,
et. al, JAMA, 2013

Forty percent of the baby boomers were obese, compared with 29
percent form the older group. Many fewer baby boomers get regular
physical activity, too — 52 percent said they aren't active,
while only 17 percent to of the older generation could say that.

The results are a “wake-up call,” said Susan Reinhard, senior
vice president of AARP’s Public Policy Institute in Washington.

“We have to cherish the longevity we’ve been given as a gift,”
she said in a telephone interview. “We have to fight to live well
not just live long. We’d like to believe that 60 is the new 40,
but you can’t be that 40-something if you are just sitting on the
couch.”

There was some good news: fewer baby boomers are smokers than in
their parents' generation.

In all, the unhealthy generation could lead to higher costs and a
larger burden on the healthcare system, the authors note. "The
present study demonstrates a clear need for policies that expand
efforts at prevention and healthy lifestyle promotion in the baby
boomer generation."